A cat rescue centre in Dereham is to be given a new lease of life with the opportunity to more than double the size of its shelter.
The Cats Protection adoption centre in Longham has been given permission by Breckland Council to overhaul their existing state-of-the-art premises on Hoe Road.
The news was described by the centre's manager as a 'wonderful opportunity'.
Works, scheduled to begin in December, will include replacing the cat pens which have been on-site for 20 years, improving work areas, and parking.
They will also see increased space available for the feline welfare charity to take in greater numbers of cats and their carers.
The Dereham centre currently takes in an average of 464 cats each year, rehoming 542 in 2016.
Improvements are scheduled to be complete by summer 2018, and it is hoped they will set standards for cat-care excellence in Norfolk.
The newly installed pens interspersed with landscaped garden areas will create an engaging environment in which the cats can await rehoming.
Cat welfare will also be improved, as better admissions and maternity pens are created.
The centre will remain open throughout the refurbishment, supported by the Cats Protection adoption centre at Downham Market.
Guy Chadwick, adoption centres' development manager, said: 'The Dereham adoption centre rebuild is a wonderful opportunity for us to more than double the existing space at the centre and provide a dramatic improvement in facilities for cats in our care, volunteers and staff.
'We will simultaneously improve customer experience and operational efficiency, future-proofing the centre for the care of cats in Dereham for many years.'
Staff from the centre have been fundraising to support the refurbishment project.
Deputy manager, Paul Hannett, 42, and volunteer, Jessica Thomson-Hammond, 26, have set off for an adventure in the Himalayas as part of a major push to raise money for the new cat shelters. The ambitious pair are hoping to raise more than £11,000 for their furry friends.
The centre is also appealing to the public to help them raise funds for better facilities for the cats in their care, and any cat-lovers can make donations here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cats-protection-dereham-ac2.
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